Sounds Of Heaven holds off Queen For You in York thriller In a thrilling renewal of the Oaks Farm Stables Fillies' Stakes at York, Irish raider Sounds Of Heaven caused a minor upset. Eight fillies contested the Listed race, also known as the Michael Seely Memorial. Among them were three unbeaten fillies, including the favourite, Silver Lady, who had made a deep impression on her Newmarket debut. Queen For You, an Ascot winner, and Fakhama, who had won at Newbury, also lined up following successful course debuts. Sounds Of Heaven, trained by Jessica Harrington, had finished fourth on her first start at Gowran Park before opening her account at Leopardstown in October. Off the track for seven months, the filly was back in action under Ronan Whelan and was never too far off the pace. Taking the lead from Stormy Sea for much of the race, Sounds Of Heaven (14-1) took over with a furlong to run and held off strong challenges from both Queen For You and Silver Lady to win by a short head and a neck respectively. Harrington was not on the Knavesmire, but said: “That was brilliant. I fancied her going over there, we just hadn’t been able to get a run into her because of the ground. We knew she wanted nice ground so we’ve waited with her and it’s paid off. “The race wasn’t really run to suit because they didn’t go very quick, but she was lovely and relaxed. I just said to Ronan to keep it simple and he did. “Her form had worked out well from last year, she made her debut on soft ground but won next time on better ground and the second (Boogie Woogie) ran well in a Group One in France. “She’s in the Irish Guineas as well as the Coronation Stakes, so we’ll just wait and see what we do. “She’s a gorgeous filly with a lovely temperament.” Should Sounds Of Heaven head to Royal Ascot for the Coronation Stakes, she could well renew rivalry with John and Thady Gosden’s runner-up. “It was a big run, just the second of her life, I’m thrilled with her,” said Gosden senior. “She got the one beaten beside her, but she didn’t see the other one. “There’s no reason we wouldn’t go to Ascot at this stage. She’s a big girl, she’s grown a lot and developed a lot. “She travelled beautifully, better than anything, she just didn’t win.”
